It's been a little less than 50 years since the Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show February 9th, 1964 and changed our lives forever. The Beatles started their professional careers with a trip to Hamburg, Germany in August of 1960. I'm going to post to this blog what the Beatles were doing 50 years ago to the day from just before that first tour until the historic Ed Sullivan appearance. "Follow by email" for ongoing updates. (Eternal thanks to Mark Lewisohn.)

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Shapiro Tour

February 2, 1963

The national tour with Helen Shapiro begins. Shapiro is the headliner, but by then end of the tour the Beatles are winning over audiences everywhere. She is only 15 years old. Here's a clip from a movie called "Play It Cool" that she appears in that was made last year (1962). The Beatles, who have seen it all by now, must think her a little girl.

The Beatles played:
Chains (by Gerry Goffin and Carol King) Keep Your Hands Off My Baby (L/M) Girl group influence much?
A Taste of Honey (L/M)
Please, Please Me (L/M)
They are also ready with "Love Me Do" and "Beautiful Dreamer"? an old Stephen Foster chestnut, for some variety.

After the first date in Bradford, on the 2nd, they leave the tour and play the Cavern on the 3rd and 4th. The 4th is their last Cavern lunchtime session, a key element in their campaign to build a loyal fan base in Liverpool. They've been playing those sessions regularly since Mona Best cajoled Ray McFall into allowing rock and roll onto his stage at lunchtime on the 9th of February 1961, nearly two years ago. That's a long time before Brian Epstein entered the picture. After this, the boys return to the tour on the 5th through the 9th. It's "life on the road" for them now.

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About Me

After a 30 year career in IT, I got a retirement offer from Ford Motor Company that was too good to pass up. Since then I've been devoting my time to enjoying life, especially through reading, biking and music. I'm a member, with Alison Donahue, of the Guitar/Cello Duo called "Cello Bella" and the Beatles tribute band, The Buntles. (We don't get smash hits, but we can usually bunt our way on base!)